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'Cruel' Dealer Bred 7 Pit Bulls For Dogfighting At Hempstead Home, Police Say

Authorities uncovered a dogfighting operation at a Hempstead drug dealer’s home, police said.

One of the rescued dogs.

One of the rescued dogs.

 Photo Credit: Nassau County DA
Michael Mashburn
@mistermashburn Email me Read More Stories

Kevin Brown, 39, pleaded not guilty to 34 counts, including drug and animal fighting charges, in Nassau County Court on Wednesday, March 12, after police executed a search warrant at his Willow Avenue residence.

In December 2024, following three months of surveillance, Nassau County Police uncovered over 1,000 fentanyl-laced pills, a loaded 9mm handgun, and various other drugs, including ketamine and hydrocodone, according to prosecutors.

The fentanyl alone was enough to kill more than 65,000 people, investigators said.

Police also determined that Brown was housing, breeding, and training seven pit bulls for fighting , according to prosecutors. The animals were reportedly found in filthy, cramped conditions, some tethered with heavy chains and others showing scars and open wounds.

His property contained dogfighting equipment, including a spring pole for bite training, a modified treadmill, and reinforced collars, police noted.

One of the dogs was roaming in the backyard with cropped ears—a common practice in dogfighting—and several others had scars around their muzzles and bodies.

“This defendant was allegedly dealing in deadly opioids while keeping innocent animals in cruel and inhumane conditions,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Both crimes show a blatant disregard for life, and neither will ever be tolerated in Nassau County.”

The Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) seized the animals and removed them from the property.

Brown was indicted on multiple felonies, including:

  • Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree (felony)
  • Three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (felonies)
  • Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (felony)
  • Fourteen counts of prohibition of animal fighting (felonies)

Brown faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He was ordered held on a $200,000 bond and was barred from owning or controlling animals while the case is pending. 

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